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NIAGARA NEWS BRIEFS

WHEATFIELD -- The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce issued a statement Wednesday advising voters to reject any school budget that raises property taxes more than the state tax cap.

The only budget in Niagara County that fits that description is at Niagara Wheatfield, where taxes are proposed to rise 9.9 percent. Niagara Wheatfield's adjusted tax cap is 7 percent. Voters will go to the polls in all school districts Tuesday.

"A local business can't simply raise its prices by 10 percent because things are tough, and school districts shouldn't be doing that either," said Kory Schuler, director of government affairs for the Chamber.

Because the district seeks to exceed the tax cap, the budget won't be considered to have passed unless it at least 60 percent of voters are on the "yes" side.

Mayor Michael W. Tucker said Wednesday that the Molson Canal Concert Series is about to become the Labatt's Canal Concert Series.

Besides the sponsorship change, the lineup of bands is to be announced at a news conference at 1 p.m. Monday in City Hall. Nine shows are planned, beginning June 29.

So far, the concert website pollstar.com lists only Eddie Money on July 6 as a definite Lockport booking, although the date has been deleted from Money's website, where it was formerly listed.

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LaSalle waterfront is program topic

NIAGARA FALLS -- Teresa Lasher Winslow, a professional historian with a special interest in the former Village of LaSalle, will speak on "LaSalle Waterways, a Historical Look Back" at a free, public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the LaSalle Branch Library, 8728 Buffalo Ave.

Winslow will discuss the heritage of the LaSalle waterfront that made the historic village a place to settle and prosper. Her talk will be illustrated by photographs of boating, fishing, camping and ice harvesting.

The former village was annexed by the City of Niagara Falls and now is a city neighborhood.

Those attending the meeting are invited to bring their photos, memorabilia and memories to share and add to the historical records being assembled at the library.

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Urban farmers' co-op raises $15,000 for dump truck

The Farmer Pirates Cooperative, made up of urban farmers on the East Side of Buffalo, successfully raised more than $15,000 to buy themselves a dump truck.

The co-op used Kickstarter.com, an online fundraising tool that allows people to fund creative projects over a 30-day period. If the fundraising goal isn't met during the allotted time, the project doesn't get the money. The Farmer Pirates met its goal with less than 24 hours to spare.